The operating rules for YDA are the Charter and ByLaws. A copy of both is available to all members on the YDA website and available upon request.
Platform
The
National Platform of YDA is debated
and adopted at the biennial convention
of the membership. It is available on
the YDA
website.
National Committee
Membership is composed of all state
presidents, state committeemen and state
committeewomen of chartered states;
elected chairs of official
YDA Caucuses; elected directors of
the eight
YDA Regions; elected
executive officers of the YDA;
administrative officers; chairs of the
all standing committees; the President
Emeritus; the Judicial Council chair,
the President of the
College Democrats of America and two
members of the College Democrats of
America (1 male and 1 female). The Chair
of each Select Committee and Executive
Director shall be an ex-officio,
non-voting member. No person can cast
more than one vote on the National
Committee by virtue of holding multiple
offices. (Article IV, National
Committee)
Executive Committee
Membership is composed of all elected
Chairs of the official YDA Caucuses;
elected Directors of the eight YDA
Regions; elected Executive Officers of
the YDA; the Executive Director;
President Emeritus; President of the
College Democrats of America; the Chair
of each Standing Committee; the Chair of
the Judicial Council; and each
Administrative Officers as provided in
the charter. The Chair of each Select
Committee, the Executive Director, and
other administrative officers shall be
ex-officio, non-voting members. (Article
V, Executive Committee)
Standing Committees
Membership is composed of the Appointed
Chair and Vice-Chair and a
representative from each chartered
state. (Article IV, Section 430)
Credentials
Handles official certification of voting credentials at YDA meetings & conventions
Rules & Charter
Handles all amendments to the YDA Charter and Bylaws
Resolutions
Handles all resolutions submitted to YDA for approval
Select Committees
Membership is composed of the Appointed
Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary and a
representative per Region.
Affirmative Action
Coordinates activities with the Affirmative Action Committee of the Democratic National Committee and implements policies and programs of affirmative action at every level within YDA.
Campaign
Establishes a national Young Democrats campaign plan, designed to coordinate the efforts of Young Democrats with the Democratic National Committee to maximize turnout and ensure Democratic success at the voting booth.
Finance
Oversees the budgetary functions of the organization, including review, modification and acceptance of the Presidential Executive Budget. Plans events and other efforts to raise and spend the funds of the organization.
Site Selection
Manages the process for selecting the host chapter and further to coordinate planning with that chapter for the national convention.
Caucuses
Caucus leadership is chosen by the
membership of the caucus at the YDA
Biennial National Convention. Membership
of the various caucuses are defined by
the YDA Bylaws, which are housed at the
national office. Any YDA member may
attend all functions of any caucus.
Caucuses serve to further the
involvement and leadership training of
the various Base Vote constituencies
within the YDA, and foster the education
of the youth electorate within these
constituencies:
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered
• Women
• Labor
• Minorities
• Disability Issues
Regions
The membership of the YDA is divided
into eight Regions. Each Region elects
officers and selects representatives to
the select committees and the Judicial
Council. Regions convene meetings in
accordance to the YDA Bylaws. Each
region establishes it own bylaws and
officer structure. (Article IX)
Northeast: CT, ME, MA, NH, NY, RI, VT
Mid-Atlantic: DE, DC, MD, NJ, PA, VA, WV, YDA Abroad
Southeast: AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, PR, SC, TN, VI
Great Lakes: IL, IN, MI, OH
Midwest: IA, KS, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI
Southcentral: AR, LA, MO, OK, TX
Southwest: AZ, CO, NV, NM, UT, WY
Pacific: AK, AS, CA, GU, HA, ID, MT, OR, WA
Judicial Council
Handles any ethical disputes and
disputes of the YDA Charter (Article
VIII)
Meetings and Conventions
The National Committee is required to
meet at least two times per year (on
opposite sides of the Mississippi
River), but generally meets three times
a year. The YDA also holds a
biennial convention during
odd-numbered years. The Executive
Committee may meet at times other than
National Meetings.
